Disclaimer: Everything recognizable belongs to Janet Evanovich. I am only borrowing them. Thank you for allowing us to use your amazing characters for fun!

-chapter-9

I was waiting, nervously wringing my hands, in my parking lot at 8 am when the black SUV comes to pick me up. Lester hops out and gives me a kiss on the cheek. "Are you excited?" he asks, all smiles. I can't help but catch his enthusiasm and give him a genuine smile in return.

"Of course! I can't wait to meet the woman who is undoubtedly going to be your better half." The mock horror on Lester's face puts me at ease and I'm suddenly feeling better about this whole trip.

Packed up, we head to the private airport. Lester and Bobby are in the front and Cal and I are in the back. I couldn't ask for better travel companions. This is going to be a great trip, I tell myself, trying to change the message of my previous night's inner dialog. We arrive on time and get our bags through the non-existent security at the little airport outside of Trenton. I guess this is why the guys prefer this way to travel. The four of us are laughing and joking as we climb the stair to the jet and all smiles fade when the guys catch sight of Ranger sitting toward the front on his laptop with his blank face in place.

Tank, Woody, and Manny are also on board. Lester, who is not about to be brought down, suggests a welcome drink and busies himself by pouring a shot for all of us on board, saying we need to get ready for the weekend party. Ranger declines, surprise surprise. After a few shots, things are back to joking and fun. I'm sitting as far from Ranger as I can get so I can relax and enjoy myself sans ear buds.

The guys are discussing the plans for the weekend and tell me that I should be on the "guys" side of the itinerary since I'm one of them. I have no idea what that means but I'm never going to agree to go to a "bachelor party" so they can just forget that. I also remind them that I'm a girl and may enjoy the girl's activities more. I'm definitely not interested in fishing and smoking cigars. According to Les, those are two activities the guys have planned. The plane ride goes by fast, and my slight buzz totally helps my flying fears, as well as the awkwardness with Ranger. I grab a bottle of water before our descent; I don't want to be hung over before I even get to the resort.

We're met by three more Rangeman SUVs (from the Miami office, I guess) when we emerge from the terminal. We load into two them with the same seating configuration as before, thankfully. The ride to the resort is over an hour and I enjoy watching the ocean peek in and out as we head south toward the Keys. The resort was situated on Marathon Key and is a private, high security resort that caters to the wealthy, according to Les. They have top notch security, but Les insisted on adding more Rangeman to ensure everyone's safety. The conversation in the car is even more animated thanks to the pre-party cocktails. So, when we spill out of the SUV, laughing so hard we can barely stand up, it doesn't go unnoticed. I feel like we're in the "kids" car and am immensely glad that I didn't have to ride in the "grown up" one.

Finally able to look around, I'm in awe of the beauty of this place. Everything is immaculate. The palm trees and the tropical breeze are perfect. Even though it is summer, it's not too hot. The beautiful flowers make everything smell wonderful. It's paradise, and I haven't even seen the beach yet. It reminds me of something. Shit, it reminds me of Hawaii. I didn't see that coming. I close my eyes breathing deeply and try to pull myself together.

Bobby comes up beside me and puts an arm around my shoulders and steers me toward the check in. "I want to make sure you get the right itinerary," he says, grinning.

I'm able to shove the sadness down and focus on what he's saying. "You'll just have to forget the whole smelly boat and cigar thing. That's not gonna happen." I give him a stern look.

He puts his hand over his heart as if I have rejected our friendship. "I'm hurt, Bomber. How could you choose a spa day over a fishing trip with us? Who wants to have cucumbers over their eyes instead of reeling in a giant sail fish?" he questions.

I laugh and say, "Me. I would rather have cucumbers over my eyes relaxing instead of reeling in a stinky fish." We're laughing as we reach the check in desk.

"Welcome to The Hibiscus Beach Resort and Spa, Miss Plum, your cabana is ready. Your all-inclusive stay is part of the Santos/Fairfield wedding party. All your information has been provided. Here is your welcome bag. Your room number is 155. It is here on the map. I need to place this bracelet on your wrist, it allows you access to the resort and all of its amenities. Your things will be brought to your room. The restaurants and bars are marked on the map. The beach is private and can only be accessed by our resort. We are completely secure and no-one that is not a guest is allowed on our property. Our security is well-trained, and your happiness and safety are our top concerns. If you have any questions, my name is Amelia; or any one of our staff can assist you. Please enjoy your stay."

I give her a smile and say, "Thank you." I walk over to Les and the guys who are comparing room numbers and realize that I am in a different section than the "guys," thank goodness. Les smiles really big and runs to the woman that I can only guess is Olivia. He picks her up and spins her around before placing a kiss on her smiling lips. He pulls her toward me, and I ready myself to meet the amazing woman that tamed the one and only Lester Santos.

With introductions, I'm struck with how she totally doesn't fit my expectations. Yes, she's beautiful but in a genuine sort of way. While I expected her to be high class and stand-offish; she was none of those things. She seems nice and sincere, and I like her immediately. She's a couple of inches shorter than me with medium length blond hair that's styled to perfection. She has cute features but what makes her really stand out is her smile. She has the cutest dimples, and you can't help but smile in return. She's exactly what Lester needs.

We chat for a few moments, and she offers to show me where my cabana is located. Leaving the boys behind, we duck into the maze of walkways in search of my room, all the while chatting about the weekend to come. She's so easy to talk to and has already heard about me (probably about the screw up I am), so I focus on getting to know her. I learn all about her family and how she met Lester. I really want to discuss more about that later and fill her in on some Lester stories. Payback for the stories he told her about me, of course.

Our conversation changes to the details of the weekend and the resort. According to her, we are in the girl's section and all of us are beachfront on the north side of the resort. The guys were on the south side, with all of the amenities in the middle. Nice, I really wanted the distance from Ranger so I can enjoy myself and not make things awkward for Les and Olivia.

We reach my Cabana and I unlock the door. Before she leaves, we promise to meet up for the welcome reception later this evening. I open the cabana door and am awestruck. What looks like a little straw-roofed hut is an incredibly beautiful suite. The four-poster bed with netting draped across the posts gives it a whimsical look. The bedding is pristine white and there are a lot of red hibiscus plants, which make the room smell heavenly.

The spa bathroom is to die for, and the best of all was the view of the ocean. I've heard the Keys weren't exactly known for their beaches, but there is a beautiful white sand beach steps from my room. The turquoise water is calling me, so I get my bikini out of my carryon bag and grab my keycard, sunscreen, and a beach towel off the bathroom shelf. I head out to paradise; I don't need anything else. I know the only thing on the agenda today is the Welcome Reception and it doesn't start until 7 pm. I have all afternoon to enjoy the sand and surf. I spend the time playing in the ocean, working on a tan, and walking the shoreline. This is just what I need to relax and think about my life plan. As I'm walking, I feel my neck tingle. I look around but see no one. I'm determined to have a great vacation even if Ranger is here. My thoughts shift to Ranger and what I am going to do about the awkwardness between us. I am determined to focus on my plan to move forward with my life without him and his charity but I have to deal with "the now". It's been long enough, I think I am ready to call a truce and ease some tension between us. I can be grown up about this, right?

Getting my mind back on my future is when the realization hits me that I could live in place like this, live in paradise. I start thinking. What can I do for a living? Can I get a job here at the resort? Could I be happy working in the service industry? How about an office job? I have a business degree. Maybe on the security team? Just then, my stomach decides that it was way past time for lunch, and it wasn't going to get ignored for beautiful sand and surf anymore. I make my way back to my cabana, planning to change back into my arrival clothes. Thankfully, my luggage arrived and I'm able to put on a cover over my bikini instead of the wrinkly travel clothes that I arrived in.

I head out the door in search of food, but it's 3pm and the food options are limited. The main dining room and lunch buffets have already closed to prep for the dinner service, so the pool snack bar is the only option besides room service. I opt for a cheeseburger and chips with guacamole. I stick with water, not wanting to pass out before the reception. The seating at the pool is a stone patio with sunshades in triangle shapes that provide color and shade to the outside diners. I grab a small table facing the ocean and start to eat. OMG! It is the most delicious guac I've ever eaten. I look around and thankfully no one notices me, so I continue eating, trying hard to enjoy my food in silence.

After eating, I check my phone. There are a few missed texts from the guys and a group text that had everyone meeting up in the main dining restaurant for lunch and heading to the pool after that. I guess I missed it. I respond that I missed seeing their text and was at the beach side grill, but I was tired and wanted to nap before the reception and I would see them all then. On the way to my cabana, I got lost in the maze of walkways and I ended up behind one of the restaurants. There was a woman talking to a resort staff member I recognized as the concierge that helped me upon check in. Before they noticed me, I caught the tail end of their conversation. "It's all set. Your package will be delivered before the reception," Amelia tells the young woman.

I clear my throat and both women turn to look at me. Their expressions are not happy to see me but Amelia quickly asks, "How can I help you Miss Plum?" The other woman excuses herself and walks briskly away.

"I seem to have gotten lost. Can you point me in the directions of the 100 block Cabanas?" I ask. Amelia smiles and points me in the right direction with clear instructions. I arrive back in my Cabana by 4 and crawled into bed for a quick nap. When I wake an hour or so later, I busy myself getting ready for the reception. I had quickly hung all my dresses in the closet to prevent more wrinkles and choose a gauzy little sundress in white. It has spaghetti straps and falls just above my knees.

I bring it into my bathroom and hang it on the shower to steam out the wrinkles and I start on showering, shaving, exfoliating and moisturizing routine. That complete, I attack my hair and with the help of Mr. Alexander hair goop, I get it into decent shape. Makeup is only mascara and lip gloss thanks to the sun I got earlier today. I check myself out in the full-length mirror and deem myself acceptable. I'm glad that I removed my bikini top so that I have no visible tan lines for my strapless dress. Benefits of a secluded beach, I guess.

I place my cell, and wallet in the room safe and stuff my key card into my bra and head out the door. I hate having to carry a bag. I arrive a little after seven and am pleased to see that the party is already in full swing. Les and Olivia are waiting at the entrance to the private patio with a waiter holding a tray full of cocktails. I hug them both and Les points me toward the guys. I grab the fruity looking welcome drink and take off in their direction, resolving to have fun and not let the awkwardness ruin the evening. As I approach, I see Ranger looking at me. I take a deep breath and walk over to him and ask if we can talk privately. Time to put my big girl panties on and take care of this. I want to ease the tension and hope that if we can call a truce, then we both will get through this a lot easier. He nods and follows me to the corner of the patio that has beach access. I nervously begin. "Look, I'm not upset anymore. I hope that we can be friends again and put this all behind us. I know you aren't interested in a future with me and that you've been more than honest with me about that. I'm glad you've been respecting my wishes and have given me space" I sigh and continue. "I know you're looking to improve your Karma and I respect that, but I need someone to want me, want to be in a relationship with me, want a forever with me. I get that we're on different paths, and a future isn't possible so can we put it all behind us for the sake of Les? I hate this awkwardness that is all around us."

During my whole speech, Ranger stares, blank face in place. I wait for him to respond; two full minutes pass before he does. "I would like that. I never wanted the distance between us. I've missed you, Stephanie, and I want to put this behind us as well."

Some of the tension leaves my body and I relax a little for the first time in months. Maybe I can move forward, putting my heart back together in order to have a someday with someone else. I give him a half smile and say, "Let's get back to the party and celebrate Les."

He places a hand at my lower back and leads me back to the guys. If they're surprised to see me walking with Ranger, they didn't show it. I'm quickly pulled away from Ranger and surrounded by the Merry Men. We tease, laugh, and joke around for several minutes as the sun is setting. We are afforded the most amazing light display as the orange, pink and red hues as the sun sank into the horizon. I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful display and it shows on my face. The reception turns out to be a buffet, followed by dancing on the patio. Before we eat, glasses of champagne are handed out and we toasted the happy couple.

After eating, I'm introduced to the "girls" by Olivia and realize that the woman talking to Amelia when I asked for directions was Anna, Olivia's best friend and Maid of Honor. She seems uncomfortable around me, and my Spidey sense goes off. I assume she doesn't like me because she's been eyeing Ranger and he's ignoring her to hang out with the guys and me. Maybe I'm wrong and she's just nervous around new people. Who knows?

The center of the patio is cleared, and the dancing begins. I dance with Bobby and then Woody before heading to the bar for a glass of water. The night is turning out to be a lot of fun. Gone is the tension and Ranger never growls or calls Bobby or Woody to the mats once. Maybe we can still salvage a friendship? I've only had the welcome drink and the toasting champagne, so I'm doing well pacing myself. At the dessert table, I fill a plate with the most wonderful looking sugary concoctions and sit at a table currently occupied by Tank and Ranger.

"Hello gentlemen, care if I join you?"

They smile and stand, motioning for me to sit. I offer them some of my treasures but they both declined. No surprise there. I'm kind of hoping the desserts will help process the excess hormones and find that the sugar high is helping. Les and Olivia join us and Les leans into Ranger, saying in a fake whisper. "The next few songs are at my special request. They will be Latin songs and if you have any Latin heritage, you better get your ass on the dance floor."

Ranger narrows his eyes and when the first few beats play, Ranger stands, holds out his hand to me and asks if I want to dance. I allow him to lead me onto the dance floor, a little nervous about dancing so close to him. It's one thing to emotionally distance myself from Ranger with space between us, it is quite another to "Latin dance" with him. This sensual dance is practically making love standing up. I'm trying to stay guarded but find there is no way to get into the music like that, so I let myself go. I spend the next three songs dancing so close and so erotically with Ranger that I feel like I could light up Miami. It's like we're the only ones on the dance floor.

When we're done, I notice my surroundings and realize that it's only Ranger, myself, Les and Olivia on the dance floor and everyone is cheering and whistling at us. I turn into Ranger's neck, embarrassed by the attention and he envelops me in his arms as he leads us off the dance floor back to the table. Anna walks up to us carrying two drinks. She hands them to Olivia and Les. I'd been teasing Les about his alcohol consumption and lifted his drink right out of his hand, noting his shock as I did so. I chug his mojito right in front of him and place the empty glass back in his hand, laughing.

I was turning to run from Les when I see Anna giving me a look to kill. I stop short and cover my unease by saying, "I'll get you another one. Sorry, Anna. I was just joking around. Hang out with the guys and I will be right back."

I get another drink for Les from the bar and when I return all seems to be well. A few dances later, I'm back at the table, drinking water. I can't believe how thirsty I am. I start to feel really buzzed even though I've only had 3 drinks over several hours with lots of yummy food and water in between. Maybe I shouldn't have chugged the mojito. I get up to head to the bathroom when I trip and fall against another table. I hear some murmuring, asking if I'm alright and I tell them that I need to go back to my room. Everything is really fuzzy.